I think kids should be encouraged do productive things they enjoy. That might mean school, that might mean work. Nor would getting a job at 14 preclude a care

I think kids should be encouraged do productive things they enjoy. That might mean school, that might mean work. Nor would getting a job at 14 preclude a career in physics. Most people who discover an interest do so in their own free time. I know very few creative works (programmers, architects, scientists) who picked up their careers because of a high school class. Do you? Perhaps a kid might work at carpentry from 14 to 16. Then get interested in physics books he read in the library, and apply for university. Who knows. The real harm is that society has cut off a productive path (work) and forced students into a path that is neither productive nor enjoyable for 99% of the kids (school).